Yes.

I am very good at reading people and spotting patterns.

Unfortunately, I’m also trained to think I should put up with poor treatment, and I’ve had to try to break that habit for years. Still working on it.

They say choose peace, but sometimes, I want to choose security over peace.

Security meaning, what I am used to and think I can put up with. I guess I’ve been taught that that’s being tough.

Maybe it is, sometimes, but it’s not a good reason to put yourself around people who are only going to toss you aside.

Being tough means you deal with the regular problems of the job, or life, or whatever other thing you’re doing…not that you accept abuse and exploitation because you can “handle it.”

I’ve had to learn that the hard way. That if I can see someone is not reliable, I shouldn’t rely on them.

Sometimes though, it’s hard to go the other way and trust people even if they have shown themselves to be trustworthy. I’m used to no one having my best interests at heart, so it’s hard to believe anyone else ever does.

I know I’m not the only one who eels this way.

Here’s to all of us finding people we can truly count on–

Stay honest–Natasha